Occidental Tool Vest?

[Dan Clark]

Hi. When I'm working on a project where I need a fair number tools at hand, it's nice to wear a tool belt or apron. I have several, but none seem to quite hit the mark.

Occidental has a new "Oxy™ Cordless Tool Vest": http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2555_beltless.html. Detailed View here: http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2555_view.html (mouse-over the little buttons on the right). It's only been available since April 16th, so there's not much info on it.

At $90-$95, it's a bit pricey but it looks interesting. It looks more usable than most aprons and not as bulky as a tool belt. Also, it seems more oriented to carpenters than wood workers, but might be used for both.

Any opinions? Obvious good points or bad points?

Thanks,

Dan.

[Gary Keedwell]

Wow, sure has alot of storage compartments. I think I would drive myself crazy looking for what I need . Might be good for someone in the "field" though.
Gary K.;)

[Lloyd McKinlay]

I think they still have some vests on clearance.
http://www.skillers.com/cgi-bin/store/store.cgi?&shop=skillers&L=eng&Category=clearance

[Per Swenson]

Not for me.

I sweat just looking at that thing.

Hot and heavy and I don't mean that in a good way.

30 pockets.

As Gary noted, less is more.

Any thing more than 3 is a brain puzzle like the game of concentration.

It might be fine for a punch list guy in a air conditioned condo....

I'll pass.

Per

[John Gornall]

I just want the upper part of the vest without the big lower pockets. Just a comfortable place for pencils, 6 inch rule, tape measure, note pad and a few few odds and ends. Make the back in a mesh fabric for cool. And sew in a few rare earth magnets to hang things on. I've been looking for a vest like this for years. Recently found a woman that is going to make me one.

[Brice Burrell]

I think they still have some vests on clearance.
http://www.skillers.com/cgi-bin/store/store.cgi?&shop=skillers&L=eng&Category=clearance

I have a Skillers belt with suspenders, the best I have ever used, three year of hard use (carpenter) still going storng.

[Daryl Brayman]

As you said maybe for a carpenter. I just keep piling my tools higher and higher until there is no more room on my work bench. Then I put them all away and start again. Not the most organized way to do things, but it works for me.

Regards, Daryl

[Dan Clark]

Click on the second link in my message and then click on the "back" botton on the right. It shows the back.

As you can see, it's more of an apron than a vest.

With no back, do you still think it would be too hot?

Regards,

Dan.

[Mike Chrest]

I have been using this version for a couple months for trim. I don't need lower bags with it. Plenty of pockets(have to resist overloading).

http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2500_beltless.html

Its a little heavier empty than the Bucket Boss apron I used previously but you can get a whole lot of tools in it and they are out of the way (under your arms not banging into finished surfaces)

Haven't had it on in the summer yet so don't know how steamy it will be.

In the shop I still like the apron. For framing I have Oxylights with suspenders.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

For $90.00 I'd pass and I'd get some heavy linen and an awl and make my own. But then I'm the guy who made my own tree climbing harness instead of paying Kline's price.

[mark page]

When working in my own shop, a pair of overalls do me fine. Of course sans all the necessary hardware of working away from the shop like wallet, truck keys, checkbook, etc etc etc.... and they're downright comfortable too. Plenty enough of pockets to hold smaller commonly used items.

[Clint Winterhalter]

I think they still have some vests on clearance.
http://www.skillers.com/cgi-bin/store/store.cgi?&shop=skillers&L=eng&Category=clearance


I just scored a $15.00 vest.. It looks like it will be a good investment!

Regards!

Clint

[Dan Clark]

I have been using this version for a couple months for trim. I don't need lower bags with it. Plenty of pockets(have to resist overloading).

http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2500_beltless.html

Its a little heavier empty than the Bucket Boss apron I used previously but you can get a whole lot of tools in it and they are out of the way (under your arms not banging into finished surfaces)

Haven't had it on in the summer yet so don't know how steamy it will be.

In the shop I still like the apron. For framing I have Oxylights with suspenders.

Mike I took a look. The 2500 looks interesting for flexibility and I have several standard belt pockets that I could slip off and on. Keep it light and then add pockets as necessary.

It turns out that they also have the 2575: http://www.occidentalleather.com/product/belt-free/2575_beltless.html. This looks looks better than the 2555 because all of the pockets for smaller stuff.

Regards,

Dan.

[Joe Unni]

I too haven't found anything that really works for me.

I've been looking at this one for months http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/64059.aspx?feature=Product_5.

Unless anything jumps out at me, I may just pull the trigger.

Good luck,
-joe

[Greg Deakins]

I have an beltless set of carpentry bags from Occidental. Very fine, they feel like if I were a full time framer, I would use them in comfort for years. They were costly as well at around 200. In the shop however, I am not on a roof, or some other spot where scooting to the left a few feet to pick up any of the assortment of tools I could lay out for the particular job, (or contain in a rolling toolbox) is not an option. In the shop my tools are always within a few feet, as I set them out to perform whatever function I plan to use them for. I prefer to be comfortable while in the shop, and a fully loaded vest of pouches might be a drag. I would think that those larger full vest units are for field work, or large scale buildings/operations, and for me, are not worth it for a small shop.

[Dan Clark]

I too haven't found anything that really works for me.

I've been looking at this one for months http://www.duluthtrading.com/search/searchresults/64059.aspx?feature=Product_5.

Unless anything jumps out at me, I may just pull the trigger.

Good luck,
-joe
Joe,

Thanks for posting. That looks nice, but I personally wouldn't buy it for two reasons: first, because it doesn't have enough tool storage and second (and most important), it looks very it would be very hot.

It would be great if you are looking for warmth and light tool storage. For me, it's just the opposite. For whatever reason, I can stand cold but hate heat. I typically work in a t-shirt or a sweatshirt.

Good luck with your decision.

Regards,

Dan.